ND Guard soldiers to continue southern border duty

BISMARCK — North Dakota Army National Guard soldiers who have been helping with security on the country's southern border will continue the mission, in a different area.

Eight Bismarck-based soldiers — two helicopter pilots and one crew member at a time — served 1-3 month rotations last year helping U.S. Customs and Border Protection in Arizona. The Guard says this year the soldiers with the 1st Battalion of the 112th Aviation Regiment will help out in Texas.

From last March through October, North Dakota soldiers seized more than 15,000 pounds of drugs and apprehended more than 1,000 people. They also conducted 10 search-and-rescue missions.